PhrasesHub

To all intents and purposes

    Definitions

      • practically or effectively
        To describe a situation that is almost or nearly true or accurate, often used to emphasize something that may not be entirely true in a technical sense

    Examples of To all intents and purposes

    • The old bridge, although it needs some repairs, serves its purpose to connect the two sides of the town to all intents and purposes.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the practical effectiveness of the bridge despite its deteriorating condition. It means that although the bridge requires maintenance, it still efficiently fulfills its function of connecting the two parts of the town.

    • She looked pregnant, to all intents and purposes, which made everyone curious about her due date.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to express a strong impression or belief. It means that although the person in question hasn't confirmed that she is pregnant, her appearance suggests that she might be expecting a baby.

    • The product appeared to be working perfectly, to all intents and purposes, as the customer reported no issues with its performance.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to convey that a product appears to be functioning optimally based on external evidence, such as positive user feedback.

    • The house looked like a typical suburban home, to all intents and purposes, with a white picket fence and a manicured lawn.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to mean that an object or place appears to fit a certain category or stereotype. It means that the house seems to be a typical suburban residential property based on its exterior appearance.

    • John's new car looks and drives exactly like a Mercedes-Benz, to all intents and purposes.

      This means that from a practical or functional perspective, John's car is indistinguishable from a Mercedes-Benz. It might not have the exact brand name, but in terms of its features, performance, and appearance, it is very similar.

    • Sarah has been studying for her exam relentlessly for weeks, and to all intents and purposes, she's ready to ace it.

      This idiom is often used to express confidence in someone's preparation or readiness for an event, based on their actions and efforts. In this example, Sarah's thorough and persistent study habits imply that she will perform exceptionally well on the exam.

    • The park has been closed for repairs for several weeks, but to all intents and purposes, it's as good as new.

      This idiom is commonly used to indicate that a place or object appears to be in a better state than it was before. In this case, despite being under renovation, the park looks and functions exactly as if it had never been closed for repairs.

    • Despite being a part-time job, Emily's internship has provided her with invaluable experience, to all intents and purposes.

      This idiom is used to indicate that although something may not be a full-time or permanent position, it still holds great value or significance. The internship might not be Emily's main source of income, but the skills and opportunities she has gained from it are just as important as those gained from a full-time job.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to all intents and purposes" is commonly used to convey that something is true or accurate in practical terms, even if it may not be completely true in a technical or literal sense. It is often used to emphasize the practical reality of a situation, rather than focusing on technical details.

    The phrase is typically used to emphasize that something is true or accurate in practical terms, even if it may not be entirely true in a technical or legal sense. It is often used to convey that something is true or accurate in a practical or functional sense, even if it may not be completely true in a technical or literal sense.

    Origin of "To all intents and purposes"

    The origin of the idiom "to all intents and purposes" can be traced back to legal language and dates back to at least the 16th century. The phrase is derived from the legal term "to all intents, constructions, and purposes," which was used in legal documents to convey that something should be interpreted in a certain way for all practical and functional purposes, even if it may not be entirely accurate in a technical or literal sense. Over time, the phrase evolved into the shorter and more commonly used form "to all intents and purposes," which is now used in everyday language to emphasize the practical reality of a situation.